This morning I trudged to the barn through the freshly fallen snow and drifts, that were created by last night’s blur of flakes and wind. I was thinking about the beauty of the whiteness that surrounded me, the sun that valiantly attempted to brighten a gray winter sky, and the frigid air that numbed my fingers, even in insulated work gloves. A new day, one that is starting out fresh and clean.
The verses from Lamentations 3, came to my mind.…“The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”… (verses 22-24 NIV) These verses have long been some favorites of mine.
The ground early yesterday was dirty and muddy, filled full of dog and cat prints, patches of dirty snow from a previous winter storm, and grass that was obviously brown and dead…….and yet……in one afternoon and night the outside was miraculously transformed into a pristine and glowing place. Fresh. New. Beautiful.
God is the God of second chances….and third…and fourth. Second chances in nature, and second chances with His most loved creations. Us. If you are anything like me, there are times when you feel that life has left you dirty and scarred. You have been bruised by the memories, beaten down by the events. You long for a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning.
God is here, in the midst of the dirt and grime of life. He is not a callous God who leaves us to mire in the mud of the day to day. David (of the Bible) understood what it was to feel broken, and he wrote a psalm to God, “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.… (Psalm 40:1-3)
Dear friends and fellow readers, if you are feeling down today, I encourage you to read Psalms. Also, to read the gospels–Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Let them speak to your heart. God is not arrogant, nor does He push Himself on individuals….but, if you come to Him, He will not turn you away.
You can be a new creation in Him…..and He will wash you whiter than snow.
It Just Dawned On Me 